Yes it’s true, dear readers…we are almost into FALL 2015! This means….an even greater of plethora of things to do in the city and beyond with your four legged friends. I promise-there will soon be a snap in the air and the crackle of leaves underfoot-and you’re going to want to get out there with your cat, dog or horse and revel in the glory of it all. I can’t cover it all here, but below are the must-do highlights! Get out your smartphone and your calendar and save these dates, or Trigger, Killer or your ever-so-slightly-grumpy cat will never forgive you.

Some of your cat’s most sophisticated brethren will be available for viewing at The International Cat Show’s Southern Sophisticats Show in Jekyll Island, Georgia at the Jekyll Island Convention Center, 75 North Beachview Drive. Southern Sophisticats invites you to visit for a “Ghostly Good Time”. It will be held October 10-11 2015. The website, http://www.seregiontica.org, has more information for cat fanciers. That’s two wonderful things together: a beautiful place to stay on Jekyll Island and loads of gorgeous cats and anything a cat fancier could want for her favorite feline.

On August 22nd from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., the 4th Annual Walk, Wag, N’Run 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run will be held. This event is hosted by the Ahimsa House and benefits animal and human victims of domestic violence. The admission is $30.00 through 8/16, $35 8/17-8/21, and $40 on the day of the event. The 5K course is a USATF certified Peachtree Road Race qualifier for 2016 and using Chip Timing. The course has flat to rolling hills on tree lined roads around the park with a downhill finish inside beautiful Lenox Park over the dam.

September 20th (1:30PM til ?) brings the Bark in the Park, presented by Wag-a-Lot. You can buy a special ticket for man’s best friend to come to the game with you. Packages include a Braves themed dog bowl and a specified dog friendly play area at the ballpark. For more information call 866-800-1275. Combo tickets are $32.00.

Think you’ve heard it all? What about this one-a swim day for doggies. Did you know there’s a chance to get Barkley in the pool for the last swim of the summer? Take him to Piedmont Park on October 10th, where he can swim to his heart’s content and make new friends before the pool is officially closed for the winter season. Visit http://piedmontpark.org.

Only in its second year running but still an enormous hit because of the three charities it supports, the Marietta Muttropolitan Pet Fashion show turns 2! The Muttro Pet Model Tryouts will be held September 13, 2015. Registration is now open! Give your (well-behaved) four-legged friend a chance to show off his or her best look. There will be a $5.00 suggested donation per pet, and this fundraiser benefits three excellent charities in 2015: Forgotten Paws, PAWsitive Supporters and W-Underdogs. As if this wasn’t enough reason to attend, Dr. Lynn Bahr, DVM, of Dezi & Roo, will be a special guest who will have a Q&A session “Ask the Vet” and she welcomes your most vexing pet behavior questions! Marietta Muttro is a 100% volunteer-organized event.

A little bit about these charities: Forgotten Paws is a charity that spays and neuters, finds forever homes for pets who were left behind, rescues animals from dangerous situations (i.e. a pet living with a hoarder or living in a car), and even places pets cross-country to make sure they get their perfect forever home! They also transport the pets as far away as New Hampshire, California and Texas! These folks definitely go above and beyond, doing whatever it takes to improve the quality of life for our best friends. PAWSitive Supporters is a charity which supports Cobb County’s homeless pets and shelters. These fine folks provide low/no cost spay/neuters to Cobb County residents. Currently they are focusing on this goal. As of 4/23/15 they have fixed 76 total (22 cats, 54 dogs) through their FIX Em’ Free program. Finally, W-Underdogs is a Peoplestown Youth program that supports positive exposure and instills compassion and ethics through rescuing local in need. They do a fantastic job involving children and the local community to educate about pet rescue issues. Well done, Marietta Muttropolitan and Happy Second Birthday!

Horse lovers want to have Fall fun, too so here are a couple of top events: The Georgia Dressage & Combined Training Association, Inc. hosts its Labor Day Classic I on August 29th and Classic II on August 30th. This is the official qualifying competition for the 2015 Great American Insurance Group USDF Regional Dressage Championships. There will be musical freestyle competition and so much more. Spectators receive free admission and parking.

Don’t miss the 43rd Annual Southeastern Charity Horse Show from September 17 – 20, 2014 at the Georgia International Horse Park. It will feature over 300 American Saddlebred horses as well as Hackney and Harness Ponies, Roadster ponies and Roadster horses and is recognized by the United States Equestrian Federation. Over $30,000 in prize money and awards. Benefits the charities of the Kiwanis Club of Conyers. It’s located in the Charles Walker Arena and admission is free. For more detailed information, please visit www.southeasterncharity.com and on Facebook at Southeastern Charity Horse Show. Contact: Barbara Goda 770-475-1244 or George Anne Nash 770-475-1867.

PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON FACEBOOK FOR UPDATES ALSO!

No listing of Fall Festivals would be complete without mentioning the Blessing of the Pets, one mile northeast of Atlanta on September 26, 2015 (10:00-11:30 am) which includes free pet snacks, portraits, bandanas, and parking in Midtown, Atlanta. Bring your scaly ones, furry ones or feathered ones-just make sure they’re crated or leashed. This is a block south of the Fox Theatre in Midtown Atlanta, North Avenue Presbyterian Church. Hey, our animal friends could use a little help from above, too, no? Your contact for this is Kay Carlson, 404-875-0431, kay@napc.org

OK, now that you have the scoop, get out there and crunch some leaves with your animal friends! We hope to see each of you at one or all of these great events. You’ll see some folks from from Deceased Pet Care at some of these great events. Visit our website for more information at http://www.deceasedpetcare.com or “Like” us on Facebook.